History of Flight
On April 28, 2010, about 1028 central daylight time, a Bellanca 17-30A airplane (N14787) was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain and trees near Friendswood, Texas. A postimpact fire ensued. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The local flight originated from Pearland Regional Airport (LVJ) in Houston, Texas, around 1019.
One witness observed the airplane in a descent with the engine at a high power setting; he did not hear any sputtering or spitting and characterized the engine sound as if the pilot was applying full throttle. The aircraft then went out of sight, and he heard a loud "boom." Other witnesses described a high-pitched winding noise just before a loud impact sound.
GPS data from the pilot's hand-held Garmin GPSMAP 296 unit recorded departure from LVJ at 1019:36, a climb to 634 feet msl, then a steady descent. The last recorded point, at 1026:44, was about 2 miles south of the airport, with a groundspeed of 145 knots on a heading of 144 degrees. The airplane impacted trees and terrain approximately 1/4 mile south-southwest of that point.
Personnel Information
The 52-year-old pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate. He was employed as a mechanic for an air carrier. FAA records showed his last medical certificate was dated November 28, 2007, at which time he reported 2,800 total flying hours. A recovered logbook indicated his last flight review was on June 6, 2005.
A fellow employee at LVJ noted unusual behavior on the day of the accident: the pilot waved, pulled his airplane out, parked both cars in the hangar, and closed the door without locking it—breaking his routine of visiting and always locking the hangar. The employee thought the pilot began a walk-around but then started the engine and taxied quickly.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a 1973 Bellanca Model 17-30A, serial number 74-30628, powered by a 285-horsepower Continental IO-520 engine. It was registered to the pilot on July 6, 2005. A review of logbooks revealed the last annual inspection was on June 20, 2006, at which time the airframe had 1,422.5 hours.
Meteorological Information
At 0953, the automated weather observation at LVJ, located 2 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, reported wind from 090 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 72°F, dew point 46°F, and barometric pressure 30.05 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted the southeast side of an open grass field about 45 feet from a treed area on a 155-degree heading. Four propeller strikes in the ground preceded an impact crater measuring 15 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 16 inches deep. Impact marks consistent with wing leading edges extended from both sides of the crater.
Wreckage extended into the trees along the impact heading. The main wreckage, consisting of charred and melted fuselage and cabin, came to rest 92 feet from the crater. The propeller, separated at the flange with elongated bolt holes, was found 22 feet beyond the main wreckage. All three blades exhibited torsional bending, chordwise scratches, and leading-edge nicks and gouges. The engine, located 62 feet beyond the main wreckage and 154 feet from the crater, defined the end of the accident site.
Both wings were broken off and fragmented, resting among trees. Flight control continuity to the elevator and rudder was confirmed.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted by the Galveston County Coroner on September 23, 2010, concluded that the pilot died from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash. Toxicology tests were negative for all tested substances.
Tests and Research
The engine was examined on May 12, 2010, in Dallas, Texas. The examination revealed no abnormalities that would have prevented normal operation or the production of rated horsepower.